David Beckham: Career, Stats, Family, and Net Worth

David Beckham is remembered as one of England’s most iconic footballers – for all the right and the wrong reasons. Famously known for his curling free-kicks, the phrase ‘Bend it like Beckham’ was a testament to the player’s impact on the game in the 1990s and 2000s.

Blessed with a wand of a right foot, David Beckham was also an extraordinary athlete who could cover great lengths on the pitch. He was also a leader on and off the pitch, as evident from his time as captain of the Three Lions in the prime of his career.

Very rarely do footballers get the chance to represent some of the best clubs across a whole continent, let alone be admired by all their supporters. Having said that, let’s take a look at how Beckham was introduced to football.

David Beckham: Early Life & Beginnings

In one of the greatest coincidences of his life, David Beckham, one of the best crossers of the ball, was born at Whipps Cross Hospital in London in May 1975. His parents came from humble professions as his mother was a hairdresser and his father worked in kitchen fittings.

However, both his parents were ardent Manchester United supporters and often made the trip up north to visit Old Trafford to watch their team play. This gave young David an early taste of what it was like to be a professional football, with his aspiration to become one developing from a young age.

Beckham, however, had a small frame in his early youth days and took a while before he became a good player. He then won multiple accolades in his early teens, giving a glimpse of all the glory that was to come later in his life. Soon enough, he was enrolled into a few clubs’ academies to get started with.

David Beckham: Club & International Career

Club Career

David Beckham began his early youth career with local team Ridgeway Rovers, for whom he played with for a very short time before joining Tottenham Hotspur’s school of football. He spent four years with the Spurs setup between 1987-91, including a two-year loan spell at Brimsdown Rovers in the latter part.

In 1991, everything changed after Beckham joined Manchester United’s youth setup and soon became one of the key members of the squad. The following year in 1992, David Beckham made his first appearance for the club in a League Cup match against Brighton & Hove Albion. He later signed his first professional contract in January 1993.

ALSO READ: Sergio Ramos: Life, Clubs, Career, Stats and Net Worth

A loan to Preston North End in the 1994/95 season lowered his spirits thinking he was not part of United’s plans anymore. However, he returned and made his Premier League debut for the Red Devils in April 1995. In the next few years, he earned himself a starting spot and also inherited the famous number seven shirt after Eric Cantona’s retirement.

His career with United arguably peaked in the 1998/99 season as the club won the famous treble, marked by their last-ditch comeback win in the UEFA Champions League final against Bayern Munich. However, by the early 2000s, Beckham’s relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson soured and the player seemed to be on his way out.

David Beckham famously joined Real Madrid in 2003 after a spat with Sir Alex and spent five seasons with Los Blancos. He left Spain and joined LA Galaxy in the MLS in 2007, where he would spend five years, with two loan spells at AC Milan in 2009 and 2010. Beckham also returned to Paris Saint-Germain for a brief spell in 2013 before calling time on his club career in May that year.

International Career

Having made his debut in a World Cup Qualifier against Moldova in September 1996, David Beckham soon became one of the key players in the England setup. He played in all of the Three Lions’ qualifying matches for the 1998 FIFA World Cup but did not start in their first two games at the main tournament.

He also infamously received a red card in the round of 16 at that edition against Argentina after kicking out at Diego Simeone. However, he bounced back in style and was named England captain in 2000, paving the way for a redemption arc. His crowning moment arguably came when Beckham scored a sensational last-gasp curling free-kick against Greece to help England qualify for the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

He represented England at three World Cups, including playing a decent role in 2006, and completed 100 caps for his nation in 2008, before eventually retiring from international football later that year.

ALSO READ: Jordi Alba Life, Career, Stats, and Net Worth

David Beckham: Career Stats

Club Stats

International Stats

David Beckham: Family & Personal Life

David Beckham famously started dating Victoria Adams in 1997, a member of the famous pop music group Spice Girls, after she attended one of his games that year. They had their first child together in 1999 and also tied the knot later that year.

David and Victoria Beckham have four children together – sons Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz David, and daughter Harper Seven. All his sons have represented Arsenal’s youth teams but did not make it as professional players and chose other paths.

David Beckham: Net Worth & Ventures

David Beckham and his wife Victoria have a combined net worth of an estimated $500 million, considering the massive careers they had in their respective fields. After his playing career ended in 2013, Beckham continued to invest in football-related business to further grow his brand.

While still a player, he founded the David Beckham Academy for football in 2005, which initially started in London, but was expanded to Los Angeles later in his life. Beckham also exercised his option to purchase an MLS expansion team in 2014 for just $25 million, birthing Club Internacional de Futbol Miami, or Inter Miami.

In January 2019, he also decided to give back to his roots along with other members of the famous ‘Class of ‘92’, gaining part-ownership of Salford City FC.

ALSO READ: Sergio Busquets: Life, Career, Stats, Family and Net Worth

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What religion is David Beckham?

A. Beckham has referred to himself as half-Jewish and mentions Judaism is the closest religion to him in his book.

Q. Why did David Beckham quit?

A. In his book, David Beckham mentioned that the after-effects of playing football made him retire.

Q. What brands does Beckham own?

A. He owns two companies – David Beckham Ventures Limited and Seven Global.